Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carl Dean Ii. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carl, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The key to success, in my opinion, is believing in yourself and having faith. Before pursuing anything in life, you must first believe that you can and will accomplish it to the best of your abilities. When you look at highly successful business owners, one common trait they all share is confidence and a clear vision for their business.

Starting a business at 17 was not easy, but I have always had the vision and belief that I would succeed. Before launching my business, CD Visuals, I was a basketball player. Basketball had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember, and like many kids, my dream was to make it to the NBA. However, during my sophomore and junior years of high school, I tore my ACL while playing. I was devastated—basketball was all I knew, and in an instant, my dreams and aspirations were taken away.

Forced to pivot and find a new path, I discovered my passion for photography and videography. Telling stories through my lens and capturing lasting memories for generations to come became my new purpose. This journey has not been easy and will continue to present challenges, but I have the confidence and vision to push forward. My mission through my lens is to create an impact, and I am committed to making that vision a reality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The Story of CD Visuals
Introduction

My name is Carl Dean II, and I am a freshman at North Carolina Central University, originally from Raleigh, NC. I am the owner of CD Visuals, a photography and videography business that started as a hobby and later turned to a vision. If you had told my seven-year-old self that one day I would be behind a camera instead of on a basketball court, I would have called you crazy. Growing up, basketball was my life. There’s a picture at my grandma’s house of me holding a small basketball at just three years old. My dream was that I wanted to play Division I basketball at UNC-Chapel Hill and eventually make it to the NBA. I dedicated countless hours to the game, constantly working toward that goal.

The Setback That Changed Everything

In high school, I played for Enloe Magnet High School under Coach Emmanuel “Poobie” Chapman. He always told us, “One day, the ball will stop bouncing, so cherish and seize every moment you have with it.” I never expected my moment to come so soon. During my sophomore season, I tore my ACL in my left knee—a devastating injury that shook my confidence and my future in the sport. I knew the road to recovery would be long, but I was determined to overcome it. After months of physical therapy and training, I made it my mission to return stronger than ever.

The following season, I was back on the court, feeling like myself again. Then, during Christmas break, I tore the ACL in my right knee.That second injury broke me. There were days filled with tears and doubt. I didn’t know what my future would hold, and for the first time, I had to consider a life beyond basketball. As I went through another round of surgery and rehabilitation, I found myself with an unusual amount of free time. It was during this period that I discovered a new passion—photography and videography.

My New Passion

To stay connected to the game I loved, I started making small video edits of my teammates and our team. One of my teammates, Gift Moses, had a mother who recorded all our games from the stands. I began taking clips from her iPhone footage and editing them into highlight mixtapes. It started as just a fun hobby, something to keep me involved in basketball. That’s when I decided to create my Instagram page, cdvisuals__, named after my initials. I had no intention of making money from it—I just wanted to do something meaningful that kept me close to the sport that had shaped me. Little did I know that this was the start of my own business.

Later that year, for my birthday, I was gifted a camera, and on that same day, I started filming sports. Whether it was a local basketball pick-up game, my friends at the park, or high school practices, I was everywhere, trying to gain experience and improve my skills behind the camera. Through dedication and practice, my skills began to improve, and people started reaching out for my services. Before I knew it, I was creating revenue from something I loved. At that moment, I realized this was more than just a hobby—this was my new passion, and I was going to build a career in this industry.

By the grace of God and with the support of my family and friends, I have taken CD Visuals to new heights. Throughout my career, I have worked with athletes at all levels—from high school to collegiate and even professional. Some of my most notable experiences include working with the NCAA Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament, the Ground Zero Pro-Am, various high school athletic programs across Wake County, and now serving as one of the lead videographers for NCCU Football and Men’s Basketball.

One thing I always emphasize to my clients is that CD Visuals is a family. What sets my business apart from others is the way I treat my clients—not just as customers, but as if they were my cousins, uncles, aunts, and close friends. I strive to create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere where my clients feel at ease, knowing that I will deliver high-end, professional service.Although I am young, I am determined to learn and grow every single day. My goal is to become the best version of myself and to continue pushing CD Visuals to new heights.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In the camera business, adaptability is everything. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, which is what makes this career so exciting—no two days are ever the same. I’ve had to pivot countless times—whether it’s a photoshoot running over schedule, a client canceling last-minute, or even simple mistakes like forgetting an important piece of equipment. The key is to keep moving forward. Roadblocks will come, but if you stay adaptable and find a way to make things work, you will succeed.

Whenever I face an unexpected challenge in my business, I first ask myself: “What are the positives?” If I forget a valuable piece of camera equipment at home, I take it as an opportunity to enhance my skills—pushing myself to create high-quality work without relying on my best gear. Pivoting is essential in the camera business. It forces you to think outside the box, explore new techniques, and grow as a creator. The ability to adapt and problem-solve is what separates good photographers and videographers from great ones.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of my favorite revenue risks was when I was asked to film a wedding. A family friend reached out, wanting me to be the videographer for their special day. At first, I was nervous and unsure if I wanted to take on the challenge. I began to doubt myself and ask many questions for example, do I have enough gear to produce high-quality footage? What if I miss an important moment? Despite my doubts, I decided to take the risk and accepted the opportunity. I teamed up with one of my college best friends, Tyler Pierce (@tyizuals_ on Instagram), and together, we filmed the wedding for about 5-6 hours. We collaborated seamlessly, ensuring that we captured the most meaningful moments and created a video that the couple would cherish for years to come.

A few weeks later, the family friend honored me at church, expressing how much they loved the video and how it exceeded their expectations. Stepping out of my comfort zone and taking this risk allowed me to discover a new avenue of videography that I hadn’t considered before. Since then, I’ve received multiple inquiries from potential clients wanting me to film their upcoming weddings all because I took the risk , delivered a high-quality video, and made a meaningful connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cdeaniia37c.myportfolio.com/work
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdvisuals__/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-dean-2560182b8/